So I had the great misfortune of getting into an accident last week. Long story short a minivan made an illegal left turn in front of me on Don Mills, I braked hard but there was no chance of stopping in time. I hit her dead on in the side and my airbags etc went off. I'll share a pic eventually but it was not pretty. She was charged (of course) and I just got word back from the appraiser that they are writing off my 2011 E90 M3 as there is frame damage.

Leaves me in a bit of pickle now though as I'm not sure on what to get next... I have a young daughter so still leaning towards a sedan but since the M3 sedan is out of production that is out. I may consider an M3 coupe but frankly thinking about something else given I've had two E90 M3s and the next gen isn't that far off. At minimum I need a backseat so a Cayman S is (likely) out... I was at the Benz dealer on the weekend as my wife ordered a new 2013 B250, the 2013 C63 is rather nice but not sure.

Appreciate any thoughts/input on other options around the same price range. Really haven't had much time to digest the fact that my M3 is a goner...

Hey Rob, sorry to hear about the accident. Sounds like you are okay so thats the important thing.

I hope you find a suitable replacement! There is always the used option. The C63 is certainly a beast if you want to buy new and stick to a 4 door. I know its more expensive but have you driven the M5 or even the 6er Gran Coupe?

I am with you on considering something else other than an E92 M3 with having had two E90 M3's already.

Thanks Jay. I'm ok myself yeah... I figured the car would be fixable and was sorta pissed off given potential implications for resale value down the road. Definitely surprised it is being written off but certainly the best scenario long term.

Some cars I've tossed around in my head so far are the C63 AMG sedan, M3 coupe, Cayman S, etc. Not a huge fan but the Audi RS5 is probably a bit of a stretch as is the Nissan GTR, 911, M5, etc.

I have a great contact at Mercedes so know I can get an excellent deal on a 2013 C63... the 481hp performance package is pretty appealing not to mention the new interior is fantastic. We'll see, might go the used/CPO route for something on the higher end of my scale...

I drive the c63 481 version
Only thing I hate is the gas it just eats it up like nothing, but yes it is a fun car.
My DD is the 335 just cause I drive a lot.
Guelph and back is a half tank just mildly pushing it.

If RS5 is indeed in your horizon, I believe there is (or maybe still) a RS5 available at Owasco Audi. One guy ordered the car and had a changed of heart. The details of the car is unknown but is due to arrive in early April.

Sorry to hear about your car, but glad you're ok. I just went through a similar experience, at least from a cross shopping point of view. In the end I ended up in an M3 coupe. We have two kids, one is out of a booster the other is in one, both fit fine in the back although it isn't the most convenient option. I did try out the c63, s5, rs5, 911, cts-v, etc.. The RS5 is really a very nice car, I didn't love the steering but it would have been my second choice. When I was shopping there was no discount at all, so it was at the top of my budget. I actually preferred the CTS-V to the others (maybe you'll determine I am crazy now and not read the rest of my post. :P)... but the power is intoxicating, the interior was nice and it felt really solid. It sounded unreal too; but again I just preferred the overall feel of the M3. Make it a fun experience and go on some test drives.

Glad you're okay. Buy another M3.
Is this the first time you've experienced an airbag deployment. Just wondering because I was involved in an accident last July, and the thing that was worse than the burning on my shins was the smell.

I say 2013 S6, if you ever considered an M5, I think this could be the way to go, it's cheaper(same price as a well equipped M3), it has 480hp stock but goes up to 560hp/600ft-lbs(M5 beater ) with just the APR tune which in my opinion is a realiable mod, Audis FI engines have always been pretty much bulletproof!

Also IMO the S6 interior looks a lot better then the pricier M5 and it has AWD which is almost a must when you deal with that much torque. Unless you're surching for a car to bring to the track, I think there's no better deal than the S6, a germain luxury/sports car in the low-mid 11s for around 70k is a hell of a bargain!!

I know I'll consider one of these when it'll be time to change my M3!
Good luck with your purchase, shopping for cars is so much fun!!

Thanks guys. While I know the M3 is a brilliant all around car having driven one since 2008 its time for a change... thought about the CTS-V briefly but I prefer the styling of the C63 sedan. RS5 really doesn't do that much for me to be honest, it looks nice and all but the reviews seem to agree it is a bit heavy/overpriced relative to the competition. The new Cayman S is very, very interesting but not sure I can swing no back seats just yet... not to mention the ridiculous Porsche pricing model.

I'd love to move up to a GTR or 911 but I think they are a bit above the budget ($75-80kish)... decisions decisions.

Unless you're surching for a car to bring to the track, I think there's no better deal than the S6, a germain luxury/sports car in the low-mid 11s for around 70k is a hell of a bargain!!

The S6 is nice, really nice actually... but its more like $80k+ in Canada base before any options. Plus its a bit bigger than I'd like, I live downtown and don't really have room in my garage for a full size sedan like the S6/M5.

The S6 is nice, really nice actually... but its more like $80k+ in Canada base before any options. Plus its a bit bigger than I'd like, I live downtown and don't really have room in my garage for a full size sedan like the S6/M5.

Damn the interior is nice on the S6 though...

Oh, did'nt saw your were in Canada(one more reason to buy AWD ), I'm 5min from Ottawa. And yes here it's more like 80k but still the S6 is pretty much the same price as a well equipped M3 and frankly, who needs options on a car like the S6!

One car I also really like is the new 2013 S5, I prefer it to the much pricier RS5(because of V6T and manual), it starts at 56k, and the only option I would buy is the sport diff, I'd put APR stg2+(almost 400awhp and LOTS of torque) and a sportier suspension(probably good old Bilstein/Eibach combo) and that's it! A good 10k less then an M3, 20k less then RS5, good gas mileage and lots of fun all year long!

Thanks guys. While I know the M3 is a brilliant all around car having driven one since 2008 its time for a change... thought about the CTS-V briefly but I prefer the styling of the C63 sedan. RS5 really doesn't do that much for me to be honest, it looks nice and all but the reviews seem to agree it is a bit heavy/overpriced relative to the competition. The new Cayman S is very, very interesting but not sure I can swing no back seats just yet... not to mention the ridiculous Porsche pricing model.

I'd love to move up to a GTR or 911 but I think they are a bit above the budget ($75-80kish)... decisions decisions.

My good friend has a Cayman, just had a son; it's tight. They have an Edge as a second car so that works out for them though. C63 is a nice car, I am sure you would be happy with one. (I still think you should test drive a ctsv though!). Cheers.

My good friend has a Cayman, just had a son; it's tight. They have an Edge as a second car so that works out for them though. C63 is a nice car, I am sure you would be happy with one. (I still think you should test drive a ctsv though!). Cheers.

Yeah, the new Cayman is supposed to be fantastic but I don't think its going to work... maybe in a couple years. Going to drive a C63 tonight and will figure out plans for other test drives. If anyone has a good contact at a GM dealer downtown area that would help as I'd also like to check out the CTS-V.

I was there couple of weeks ago, I saw a black CTS-V coupe in the showroom and it was priced slashed by a lot, but I don't know what MY is the car. I was there simply asking for MY2014 CTS sports wagon AWD as I was looking for another vehicle in my family.

Yeah, the new Cayman is supposed to be fantastic but I don't think its going to work... maybe in a couple years. Going to drive a C63 tonight and will figure out plans for other test drives. If anyone has a good contact at a GM dealer downtown area that would help as I'd also like to check out the CTS-V.

I have a contact who used to work at Budds who is now a manager at a GM store in the GTA. PM me for info